Long Beach Wilson High alum Joel Bitonio was named the Cleveland Browns’ nominee for the 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year award, and Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, who was born in Long Beach, won the Roberto Clemente Award this year.
Ian Gilligan has overcome cancer to become a top-ranked golfer at Long Beach State. He was named Big West Freshman of the Year last season.
In hindsight, Don Wallace’s book, about Long Beach hosting the first national championship high school football game, seems to predict today’s professionalization of prep sports.
After his mother’s death from COVID-19, Tito Harper was determined to finish school as he cared for his younger brother. “My mom taught us that what we start we have to finish,” he said. “That’s why we’re still in school and keeping a happy mindset.”
A group of volleyball teammates saw the need for a space where student-athletes could focus on their mental health and well-being, so they made one—with snacks.
Mike Fillipow has embraced the nickname he earned during practice: ‘O.G.’ for ‘Old Guy.’
Kobe Jackson died suddenly last year at 22. Last weekend, his family and friends honored him with a 31-mile journey across the water.
Nearly 1 million student-athletes are deemed academically ineligible each year as a result of avoidable or recoverable errors, according to one estimate.
A Mixed Martial Arts fight Saturday at Long Beach Arena featured Long Beach native A.J. McKee, who made his lightweight debut and earned a unanimous decision win over Spike Carlyle.
A.J. McKee’s Bellator MMA career started with 18 consecutive victories before his first loss. Saturday, he’s trying to rebound in front of his hometown crowd.
